Law

The deal brings with it five attorneys and an office in Virginia Beach, giving Sands Anderson its first physical footprint on the Southside of Hampton Roads.

At issue is the upkeep – or in this case, an alleged lack thereof – of the Kanawha Canal Bridge, a small crossing that’s the only way in and out of the island-bound neighborhood for the few well-known local families who live there.

In weighing the motivations of Robert Brian Thompson’s crimes, U.S. District Court Judge M. Hannah Lauck hit him with a question that seemed to catch him by surprise: she asked him how his house is.

“This is certainly a case that calls for deterrence. We need to send a message: you cannot steal from agencies of the commonwealth and get away with it,” said Judge John Gibney.

John Hunter Raines admitted to using the embezzled funds on private jet trips, limo rides and a gambling and booze habit. The judge in his case has signaled he won’t show leniency at sentencing.

A dispute that began with accusations of stolen money and a mysterious death has come to a quiet end in Henrico County Circuit Court.

“It’s fair to say if you’re not growing, you’re dying,” Geiger said. “We have 79 lawyers, we’ve moved offices, increased technology and we’re on an upward trajectory.”

“Betting on yourself and betting on your partners is exhilarating,” Seven Hills Strategy Group co-founder Edward Mullen said of making the leap from law firm Reed Smith.

“Even with this huge new firm, we’re still the second largest office in the country,” the local managing partner said of the firm’s the Richmond outpost.

This year’s local legal sagas involved Tiger Woods, a Fortune 500, two local businessmen fighting for their innocence and a wealth advisory feud.